This is the city: Los Angeles, California. I work here. I'm an ex-mayor. Los Angeles is a magnet for people from all over the world. Some of them run for public office. Inevitably some of them stray from the golden rule and rule for those that have the gold. That's when I go to work. My name is Yorty. I'm a dead pol.

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Arthur Winston, 100

Arthur Winston worked for all the predecessor agencies of the MTA, starting in 1924. He had only missed one day of work and that was in 1988 to attend his wife's funeral. (Winston left the LA Electric Railway Company in 1928 and returned for good six years later.)

Winston was named "Employee of the Century" by President Bill Clinton in 1996.

In 1997 the MTA Board of Directors named the agency’s bus operating division in South Los Angeles after him.

His last job prior to his retirement in March was supervising a crew who cleaned and maintained MTA buses.

I spoke at length with Mr. Winston on Thursday, March 23 before the Metro Board Meeting. He was a nice and gentle man, who remembered everything and was quick with a humorous reply. He was very happy doing what he loved.

He didn't show any sign of weakness or illness, so his passing is of great shock. Mr. Winston will be missed.